Wanted to set up a leadership library as part of the leadership network I lead- one book seemed cheap in comparison- When they arrived I worked out why!! 😂

The kettle is on and we are getting ready for tonight's chat all about looking after yourselves, particularly in leadership, and how to set healthy boundaries #NewToSLTChat

Here we go with Question number 1! Join in and let us know your thoughts in the thread below #NewToSLTChat

Long question but essentially, what are you thoughts on the 'out-of-hours' communication question? #NewToSLTChat

#NewToSLTChat #NewToSLTChat A1 I think working from home during covid blurred lines of work and home. I know I really struggled to switch off and was constantly checking emails etc on my phone. Setting notification limits (or even removing work apps from personal devices) really helped.

#NewToSLTChat #NewToSLTChat A2 Setting clear guidance that emails unless urgent should be scheduled for during working hours. This allows those who want to work in evenings etc to schedule replies for later but no one feels under pressure to check or respond to emails.

#NewToSLTChat I used to find even if I was told I didn’t need to reply yet, I would feel obliged to if I got an email at night, it often caused replies to ping pong for a while and people getting frustrated - a simple chat in person would have answered it in mins the next morning.

#NewToSLTChat It’s the best thing I ever did, I have quiet hours on Teams (outside 8am-6pm M-T and 8am-4pm F I don’t get a notification), email notifications are switched off at nights, weekends and holidays. It doesn’t mean I won’t still check them sometimes but it doesn’t interrupt ‘me’ time

Here is Question 3 now, how do you get that balance right? #NewToSLTChat

#NewToSLTChat I tend to delete during long holidays/breaks and just switch off notifications in the normal working week. It did take time for me to stop checking them though.

#NewToSLTChat I found the following helped me: Does it need an answer? Yes - meeting or quick chat, if no ie information only - send in an email or post on Teams for staff to read when convenient Is it a quick/instant response? Yes - chat, if longer discussion - add to meeting agenda

#NewToSLTChat Completely agree 👍 I sometimes like to check for anything important if I know I won’t be at my desk much during the day so I can clear my emails before I start, means I’m not out visiting students worrying about what might be waiting for me at night.

#NewToSLTChat After many mistakes as a new middle leader, I found this made a HUGE difference 😃

Last question of the night everyone! Let us know below #NewToSLTChat

#NewToSLTChat #NewToSLTChat A4 modelling what working smarter not harder looks like, making sure they take time for themselves, aren’t sending emails at all hours of the night and out of school hours (especially not looking for urgent turnarounds)

That's all for tonight everyone! Thanks for joining in and we'll see you same time next week #NewToSLTChat

#NewToSLTChat #NewToSLTChat A3 - boundaries are key, not every request has to be responded to instantly, eg is there a timeframe to reply to comms from staff? As an SLT trying to block some protected time for each member of SLT so someone is available for urgent issues but time to do job.

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